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Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

The Florida Caverns State Park visitors center was only minorly damaged during Hurricane Michael. A month after the storm, crews at the park are working to clear roadways and parking lots to allow for the visitors center to be the first site to re-open in the park. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Eighty to 90 percent of the trees in Florida Caverns State Park were lost to Hurricane Michael. A month later, strike teams and tree service crews are working to restore to a state of safe use. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

The Florida Caverns State Park visitors center was only minorly damaged during Hurricane Michael. A month after the storm, crews at the park are working to clear roadways and parking lots to allow for the visitors center to be the first site to re-open in the park. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

The 25-year-old electrical system used to light the caverns was extensively damaged by Hurricane Michael, and while awaiting the new, upgraded, LED lighting system, guests will have a chance to view the caves the old-fashioned way. By flashlight.

Before the storm, flashlight cavern tours were only available to groups who requested them ahead of time.

"Most of our visitors have never been able to experience the caverns with just a flashlight," Assistant Park Manager Billy Bailey said. "You get to see lots of new things that you haven't seen before with an electric lighting system."

Bailey described the 45-minute tours as more of an exploratory experience.

Park Ranger Brooke Peacock leads a tour of the underground caves, right, as Nicole Camacho searches the cave walls with her flashlight at the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna. Joe Rondone/Democrat

A remodeled Hickory Pavilion, a staple of the Marianna community since the early 1960s, will be ready in the next two weeks with its remodeled bathrooms.

Camping in the park, however, may not be available for a while.

"Our division is looking to rebuild the campground in the location of the former golf course," Bailey said.

The campground was built in the late 1960s, when folks camped with a smaller footprint, like a Volkswagen van. In 2019, large RVs are popular and campers bring multiple vehicles and boats. The former campground also was located in the flood plain of the Chipola River, causing it to flood multiple times a year.

Bailey said the new, modern campground will remedy problems stemming from both design and elevation.

Getting the park to the point of partially re-opening has not been easy.

The one mile stretch of road from the park entrance to the visitor's center and sidewalks around the building had to be cleared of all debris and trees hanging overhead to ensure the safety of visitors.

In addition, getting the cave ready for safe tours took 100 Department of Environmental Protection employees six hours.

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Park Ranger Brooke Peacock leads a tour of the underground caves, right, as Nicole Camacho searches the cave walls with her flashlight at the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna.(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)

Due to trees falling above the cave, the 16 inches of rain that came during Hurricane Michael and the additional three inches of rain per week that fell the two months following, parts of the cavern were filled with mud that washed in.

The DEP employees held a work day on June 14 to clear 600-feet of pathways of the mud inside.

Those wishing to tour the cave can bring their own flashlights or purchase or rent one from the gift shop. Tours are $10 plus tax for adults 13 and older, $5 plus tax for those aged three to 12 and free to kids two and under.

Entrance to the park is $5 per carload with up to eight people.

Questions about the park's re-opening can be directed to Park Facilities at (850) 482-1228.

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